Day 3
Tanunda to Riverton. 78km
So we start the day again wet! Not as wet as the day before but still wet and cold...
We packed up all our gear before heading for the long walk to breakfast. Then back to the bikes to head out for the day. We headed back through the Main Street of Tanunda along a nice bike track for a bit. Right past the front door of the Penfolds winery. Just after this we cross a railway line. (Later tonight we find out a lady came off her bike here and broke her arm, and a few other people came off their bikes too)
We started the day riding in rain coats and it was so cold all day we rode in the all day.
Not long after the nice long bike path we turn onto the dirt... Mud I mean mud... So much mud. At one stage mums bike just stopped. There was so much mud between the tyres and the forks that the wheel stopped. Mine was a bit better. I did have to stop a few times and clean the mud out of the chain and forks. The back of the bike did get a bit slippery and I thought I was going to come off a few time but I managed to stay up right.
I have been good on all the hills too. It was just the little top part of the hill yesterday that I walked but all the others I have been just getting down into the granny gears and putting the head down and going for it. Slow and steady.
The riding got better in the afternoon, not so muddy. By the time we got into Riverton we where ready to stop and have a rest. We headed right to the bike wash area and cleaned the bikes off. The line up was not too bad (not like I am discovering elsewhere). We found our tent, and guess what??? It was wet inside... We had not even been inside the tent yet and we could see the water. I went and found the guy, who was like "but it was raining when we set them up and I mopped them all out the should all be dry, I'll bring the mop down"...
So he potters down and mops the tent and I have a look around as he has also told me he gave us a different tent tonight.... So I see a hole in the tent and ask what he's going to do about it when it rains again??? .... By this time we have two guy looking at the tent and they decide to change our tent AGAIN! So we get our bags and we are off about 7 away....
So moving quickly to Tuesday morning.... Yep you guessed it... A wet tent and a wet bed and a very very wet towel.... 'As I put it just next to the door just in case you know... ' lucky I did.... NOT HAPPY JAN!!!
Back to last night... Dinner was a 500m walk away at the school hall, dinner was cooked by the year 11&12 students and served by the year 8's. this is part of the school program and the school also has viticulture program. Dinner was very good, the nightly briefings have been going on a bit for our likings. After a big day of riding a hot shower, and dry bed (tent) and hot meal and early to bed is needed.
Day 4
Riverton to Burra 87 km...... Which turns out to be 95km due to weather and muddy roads.
So we pack up and head for breakfast only to be told they are delaying the start by an hour due to the weather... But by 7.30 the ride is open and as we are ready we head off.
Out of town on a rial trail for a bit before crossing a farm road into mud! And OMG so much mud... Just like yesterday we are slipping over the road and getting lots of gunk in the chain and forks again. It is also raining and cold. Yesterday we rode in rain coats all day and today the same. (I'm riding in... A singlet, a long sleeve thermal, my long sleeve riding jersey and my rain coat...) and I'm still cold! After about 20km we head out onto the main road into a small town called Auburn, the track takes us right through the middle of a caravan park..... Strange I'm thinking until I see the line up of bikes and bike riders.... All waiting to use the hose to wash the mud off the bikes.... What a smart idea I thought. So we get some of the mud off and head through the rest of town, not much to this little place.
After Auburn we head out onto the Riesling Trail, which is the old railway line that has been made into a bike/walking track. This is about 30km of a steady incline before morning tea at Clare. We don't actually get into the town of Clare... The stops seems to be just pull up on the side of the road in the most inconvenient spots. So Clare might have to be another holiday trip.
After morning tea which has been the same fruit cake and the same Arnotts bikkies for 4 days now.... I hope that changes on the next ride day.
So Clare through to lunch was wet and cold but no mud which was nice. Ouch was in a hay shed on the side of the road... This was by the sounds of it only arranged on the day. (Not that I know for sure, but it seems that things are left to the last minute to arrange)
We did not stop for lunch for long as it was too cold, at lunch we got told the original route planned for the afternoon was now changed due to the condition of the road. So we head off down the dirt for a bit and then out on the highway. Which is nice as it's not muddy but it's added Kim's to the day. Oh we'll.
So we finally arrive in Burra, late and dad is waiting for us at the camp site to take us for a hot shower and a warm DRY bed at the caravan park for the night. We put the bikes in the tent to keep them safe for the night!
We took dad back to the ride camp for dinner, which was surprisingly good. A carb loaded meal which was just what we needed! Then back down to the warm caravan park to sleep.
Day 5
Rest day in Burra.
I had a bit of a sleep in this morning... 7am... Mum was already up and had done the washing and was starting the drying.... Lucky. Cos as I am updating this blog I am standing waiting in line for the dryer... It's rained on and off all day so the stuff we did not want to put in the dryer this morning is not dry and needs to go through. I've only been in the line for 45 minutes but there is still another 2 in front of me.... I've just sent mum for the power cord so I can plug the pad in to charge.
We had a look around Burra and old copper mining town this morning, but as it is too cold to be outside we opted for the warm van. Mum and I will head back to the camping grounds tonight and be ready to hit the track again tomorrow.
Day 6 is Burra to Hallett, the ride guide is currently saying 85km... But we will wait and see what happens tomorrow is they change the route due to the weather and all...
Mind you we did go into a shop this morning and the lady did say the weather was due to clear tomorrow.
We wait and see.
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